The fondly named ‘Dumpy’ stove is a very small stove that remained in production from the late 19th century to the mid 20th. It was manufactured in various forms by a host of different foundries such as Lane and Girven’s ‘Caledonian Stove and Iron works’ and also by ‘Smith and Wellstood’s’ ‘Columbian Stove and Iron Works.
It came in a range of sizes all with a cast iron hearth and sometimes with fixing rungs to secure it when being used on boats etc.
These stves were used for fairly utilitarian work being not considered overly decorative. I have seen them fitted in a variety of settings including offices, boat cabins, potting sheds, living vans, gangers huts, workshops, stables, sheppards huts etc.
Their small size made them extremely convenient where weight was an issue and yet they provided a lot of heat by comparison.
It’s been all stoves this week with four fantastic examples being restored and ready for their new homes. The first is a ‘Caledonian Queen’ which is a great example of Art Deco designs in a stoves whilst the one next to it, a ‘Queenie’ is very much of the previous century. There is also a Tortoise No1 and Dumpy No2, both were used extensivley in Shepherds huts and Living vans.
